Tim Prince

Tim Prince was born in Royal Leamington Spa, England, of Irish descent. His grandmother tried to teach him hymns on the piano, but he played everything with a four-four rock beat, much to her dismay. Prince listened to Irish Rebel and traditional ?folk' songs, and soaked up the atmosphere in the Irish clubs, watching grown men reduced to tears by the old, slow ballads that were sung there. In these drunken clubs he heard the songs of Bob Dylan and discovered the world of American folk, blues and country. They all sang of traveling on, so he decided to follow them.

Prince listened to Irish Rebel and traditional ?folk' songs, and soaked up the atmosphere in the Irish clubs, watching grown men reduced to tears by the old, slow ballads that were sung there. In these drunken clubs he heard the songs of Bob Dylan and discovered the world of American folk, blues and country. They all sang of traveling on, so he decided to follow them.

Tim worked his way through Australia, Spain, Holland and Italy, Ireland and France, and made numerous trips to America, writing and singing as he went. He loves to write, sing and perform; after all, his Grandmother played it into his soul.

His debut album, Angel Songs, was recorded at John Keane's studio in Athens, Georgia, USA, using local session players and some friends Prince brought along from England.

?My songs are about what I see, feel and hear,? he says. ?I like to keep them simple, but with strong melodies. I'm a sucker for a good melody. My life is in my songs, though I insist they remain accessible. If a song's any good, it should be able to be sung with just an acoustic.?

Tim's influences are varied. ?My influences are the usual carpenters of song: Dylan, Cohen, Tom Waits, The Beatles, Hank Williams, but also The Clash, The Stones, Nick Cave and The Pogues. I also include Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee; I love a crooner. My song ?Sometimes' is straight crooning, just kind of?twisted!?

His ambitions?

?To make music and increase my audience. And basically, any day above ground is a good one! There's an old traditional African song that says, ?Do not seek too much fame/ but do not seek obscurity. Be proud/ but do not remind the world of your deeds. Excel when you must/ but do not excel the world. Many heroes are not yet born/ many have already died. To be alive to hear this song is a victory.' I'd go along with that.?